Shalom Dear Friends,
Welcome to a New Year, the 4th in the history of KALEIDOSCOPE, our online newsletter.
This edition of KALEIDOSCOPE is packed with potential!
And potential is exactly what lies within a seed. Seeds are tiny packages of molecular dynamite containing plant DNA that not only sprout roots and become plants or trees but also harness the potential for future generations of seeds within the seed itself.
Without doubt, the seed is one of the fantastic miracles of God to marvel over.
Though man has scientifically made seeds in a laboratory, those versions have always been sterile—unable to reproduce. No man has ever been able to create the seed that has within its own chromosomes the living program to yield fruit with infinitesimal seeds, as long as there is earth to receive it.
And just think, the seed was a gift from God to us!
Picture God beaming with joy as He held His arms out toward His beautifully crafted miracle and said to man, “Here! This is for you!” And then added His words from Genesis 1:29;
“Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit.”
If that wasn’t enough, He then promised a mind-blowing proposition—to miraculously multiply the seed.
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way, to be generous in every way, which will produce thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11 ESV).
Also notice besides the physical seeds to produce food, God also supplied the seed for our righteousness. “What,” you may ask, “is the seed for our righteousness?”
I always say, “let the Bible explain the Bible,” and we find the answer in Genesis 3:15.
“And I will put enmity (open hostility) between you and the woman, and between your seed (offspring) and her seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, And you shall [only] bruise His heel.”
The Seed of woman came through the virgin Mary in the birth of Yeshua. He is our righteousness. Receiving this Seed in our hearts causes a miraculous change within us. Yeshua was talking about Himself dying on our behalf when He said in John 12:24;
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless the seed of wheat having fallen to the earth dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
Being born of the Spirit is new abundant life.
However, there are two kingdoms growing together in this world—those of darkness and light. This is what Yeshua metaphorically described as tares and wheat growing together. But He added that the Kingdom of Light (or Heaven) was like the mustard seed. It is tiny but grows lavishly, all year round. It has a life of its own. These tiny seeds don’t even have to be planted – they simply fall to the ground and sprout on their own. Just as the penetrating power of God’s Word is able to change the hearts and minds of the hardest sinners bringing them to repentance.
Bringing them to fruitfulness.
Focused on the many aspects of growth, I believe this edition of KALEIDOSCOPE will be a blessing to you from the delicious Marpe salad that explodes in flavor with pomegranate seeds and poppy seeds to an excerpt from the new hot-off-the-press book from bestselling author Allison Bottke.
In her Bridges and Boundaries column Allison introduces us to her newest book from Harvest House Publishers; How to Connect with Your Troubled Adult Children – Effective Strategies for Families in Pain. In this long-awaited follow-up to the landmark Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children, Allison addresses the drug addiction, emotional and mental illness, incarceration, and financial issues that plague our adult kids from a spiritual perspective. Reminding us to trust in the Lord and the power of His Word. And how we, as parents, can truly learn to connect with struggling adult children.
And for those who may be struggling financially or wrestling with the concept of growth through giving, I think you’ll find my newest Precious Gem article enlightening. In Tithing Our First Fruit, I reveal a treasure trove of revelation concerning God’s economy.
In Ask Victoria, we explore the Hebrew word Tsela translated as “rib” in English. This response to a reader question will uncover a mysterious hidden truth that lies within the creation of marriage.
In Dr. Bron Barkley’s Word Up column you will discover how Tu BiShvat can revolutionize your thinking in what Yeshua thought concerning seeds, and his enlightening Hebrew Idioms article will be of great inspiration. Additionally, Jonathan Settel’s humorous and insightful article in his Colors of Sound column shines new light on the act of giving.
You will also find a local ministry to orphan children where you can plant a seed offering of a monetary gift or maybe even sow a little of your time.
As a New Year begins to unfold around us, I pray the articles contained in this issue of KALEIDOSCOPE will cause growth in your spirit and start a garden of fruitfulness in your life.
May we all stand together in praying for a great yield of faith in 2019!
Shalom to you all,
Victoria
